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CHICAGO -- Voter turnout is expected to be high today as Illinois voters cast their ballots after a contentious national campaign that exposed fissures in what Americans see in the nation's future.

Nearly 700,000 voters in Chicago and suburban Cook County have already done their civic duty, setting a new record for early voting.

The polls are open until 7 p.m. and anyone who is line at that time still has the right to vote.

Voters across the nation Tuesday are casting their ballots for candidates running for president and Congress, in addition to state and local offices and referendums.

In addition to casting a ballot for either Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump for president, Illinois voters will decide whether to give Republican Mark Kirk a second term in the U.S. Senate or replace him Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. Their race is expected to be a factor in whether Democrats or Republican control the Senate.

Voters will also decide whether the Illinois Legislature will remain under Democratic control.